Improvement in earth-closets



R. A. COWELL.

Improvement in Earth-Closets.

Patented June 6,1871.

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4M PHOTOLITHDGRKPIIIC Unrrnn STeTns' RENSSELAER A. COW'ELL, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN EARTH=CLO$ETS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 115,580, dated J une 6, 1871.

I, RnnssELAER A. CownLL, of Cleveland, in the county of Guyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a new and Improved Gommode or Earth-Closet, of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of dry-earth closets, in which a hopper for containing the dry earth is arranged to discharge a given quantity of earth into a supplementary chamber below it, and from thence it is discharged into the excrement-vessel, completely covering the fecal matter therein, the devices for operating the commode being attached to the lid covering the seat. The invention further relates to a method of upholstering the seat, by whichlthe cushion coveringthe seat may be opened by the weight of the person on the seat, and when the weight is removed the same closes up again.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view. Fig. 2 is a vertical half-section. Fig. 3 is a detached perspective view of the supplementary chamber and the devices for operat ing the same. Fig. 4 is an under-side view of the seat.

A represents a square box, of suitable dimensions, having a top and lid, B and 13. Standin g on the top B is a movable hopper, G, which also forms a back to the seat. Through the top B, and communicating with the hopper O, is an opening, c, for conducting the earth to the supplementary chamber below. This chamber consists of.a metal box, D, of a capacity to contain about a quart of dry earth; it is suspended at the front upper corner by a hinge or hinges to a sliding plate, 6, which has guides V d (1 attached to each end, said guides being held by a lug, j, screwed to the under side of the top board 13. A wire, g, connects the slides d d with the lid B, the motion of the lid up and down carrying the slide 0, with the chamber 1) attached, back and forth, alternately opening the passage 0. The bottom of the chamber 1) consists of a door, h, hinged to the rear side by rings or loops, and will hang downward, forming a chute from the open bottom of the chamber when the lid 13 is down, and the box 1) then swings on its hinges.

When the lid B is thrown upward the slide 0, with the chamber 3), is drawn forward, and the chamber 1)., striking against a rod, "5, attached to the board 13, brings the chamber into a perpendicular position directly under the throat c of the hopper, and, opening the throat 0, the earth will fall into the chamber D. At the same time that the chamber D is thrown forward the bottom is carried backward sufficient to cause a projecting arm on the door It to strike against a rod, j, which closes the door and holds the earth in the chamber until the lid 13' is thrown down again. To deposit the earth from the chamberl) into the excrement-vessel the lid B is thrown down, which carries the slide 0 andchamber 1) backward, the slide covering the throat; but the chamber D is still held in a perpendicular position by cars It, one on each side, which slide on projecting rods 1 until the chamber is nearly' back to its rear position, when the ears slip ofi from the rods Z and the chamber is released from them so it will swing, and a spring, we, bearing on the back top edge, gives it a throw and jars it so as to scatter the earth Well into the excrementvessel. The door h is, of course, thrown open at the same time the chamber swings, and when open the door acts as a chute and assists in directing the discharge of earth. N is aseat, which can be removed, which enables the vessel to be lifted out. The seat is provided with a covering, 0, of knitted worsted or other suitable material, divided through the center from front to back, so that it can be opened. On the under side of the seat are fixed two wire arms, 1) p, bent in the form seen in Figs. Zand 4, and which turn in staples q q in the seat N. Oords s 8 connect the cushion at the edges with the arms 11 p, by which the cushion isdrawn open.

To operate the arms 19 p the front ends of them are bent toward one another in the form of cranks, which are connected to the arms of p a bar, t, which bar, when pressed upon from above, spreads the arms p p apart, and the cords, drawing on the cushion, open it apart, and making an opening in the seat; when the pressure is taken ofl' from the bar 1- the cuslr ion closes up again, the cushion being made of an elastic material. 7

This cushion renders the seat more comfort able, and also prevents dust from rising and getting onto the seat. It is also intended to have it removable, so that when it becomes soiled or dirtied a clean one maybe put on in the place.

, I c1aim v 3. In combination with the seat N, the elas- 1.- In combination with the chamber 1), the tic cushion 0, arms 19 p, cords s s,' and bar t, slide 6, guidcsd, lugs f, ears 7c, rods Z, spring when constructed, arranged, and operating as m, rod 6, and. rods 9, when arranged and opershown, and for the purpose set forth.

ating as shown, and for the purpose set forth. R. A. OOWELL;

2. In combination with the chamber D, the Witnesses:

door or chute hand rod j, as and for the pur- J. M. HENDERSON,

pose set forth. GEO. W. TIBBITTS. 

